Sokoto has rejoined the All Progressives Congress after its governorship candidate, Ahmed Aliyu beat the candidate of the PDP in the governorship election, held Saturday
The Returning Officer, Professor Armayau Hamisu from Federal University, Dutsinma, Katsina State declared Ahmed Aliyu as governor-elect at the INEC collation centre in Sokoto Sunday night.
Aliyu polled 453,661 votes to defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mallam Saidu Umar, who polled 404,632 votes.
Aliyu was the deputy governor to the incumbent Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal from 2015 to 2018, when he resigned from office over political difference with Tambuwal.
The Governor had defected to the PDP at the time while Aliyu refused to follow suit and stayed in APC.
According to the declared results, Ahmed Aliyu won in 18 out of the 23 local government areas of the State.
He won in Binji, Wurno, Yabo, Gwadabawa, Rabah, Bodinga, Tangaza, Kware, Dange-Shuni, Sabon Birnin, Shagari, Illela, Gudu, Gada, Kebbe, Sokoto South, Wamakko and Sokoto North local government areas.
In his maiden news briefing, the Governor-elect disclosed a 9-point agenda formulated to ensure viable road map and maximum transformations in the state.
Aliyu said that the agenda includes uplifting the standards of education, healthcare delivery and water supply.
Others are agriculture, security, youth empowerment, local government autonomy, religious affairs and economy.
Aliyu described his victory as a clarion call for doing his best to reform the state as well as restore its lost glory.
He said: ”My administration will listen to the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens with a view to meeting up the campaign promises.
‘ I will strengthen the civil service by making it more productive, ensure prompt payment of salaries, pension and gratuity as at when due.
”My administration will welcome constructive criticisms from Nigerians.”
Aliyu urged those that contested with him to consider the situation as destiny and join hands with him in the development of the state.
He expressed gratitude to Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto North), Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, APC State Chairman, Alhaji Sadiq Achida, other party stakeholders and loyalists for their support which facilitated the victory.
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